Bring on the Snow

I sold my Fatback snow bike last spring, I wasn't loving the first generation Speedway Cycles wheels (non-welded seam that made it tough to set up tubeless) and it just wasn't easy to justify owning a bike that you may or may not ride more than a dozen times each winter. That all changed when I had the opportunity to try out a friend's 9:Zero:7. I really like the geometry of these frames, they ride more like a regular mountain bike in my opinion, and it just so happened that my LBS had a couple of last year's frames that they were looking to unload. I had read quite a bit about the Bontrager Jackalope wheels, they are really lightweight and fairly inexpensive. I like the fact that they are easy to set up tubeless, especially when paired with the Bontrager Hodag tires. I had it built up with SRAM 1x11, Avid mechanical discs, plus some nice Truvativ carbon bars and seatpost which should soften the ride some. I did a quick shakedown ride on our local trails this morning and I have to say it rides much better than my old Fatback. Hopefully we will get more snow than the past couple of years, we are planning on spending quite a bit of time skiing up in New Hampshire this winter, and  I plan on bringing along this bike to ride the numerous snowmobile and XC trails in the area.

Bikes and Beer

So something cool happened tonight. A couple weeks ago I posted my Stevens cross bike on Craigslist. I've only had the bike a couple of years but in that time it has become quite clear that a cross bike is rad for cyclocross racing (I entered a race back in 2012), for riding on dirt roads (of which there are not that many in my neck of the woods), and for doing rides like the D2R2 (which I've done the past 3 years), but for the type of riding that I do on a regular basis (commuting to work) a cross bike has its limitations. I really need a bike where I can mount racks and I am thinking disc brakes might be cool also. Hence the decision to try and sell the Stevens. Anyhow, this guy from Burlington, Vermont emails me and says he would like to buy the bike. We exchange a couple of texts and then a phone call, where we agree that he will come down in a week or so and pick up the bike. A couple of nights ago he texts me and says he wants to come down on Friday. I figure since he is driving from Vermont (at least a 5 1/2 hour drive) he has his mind set on buying the bike, so I agree to meet him in Wrentham (a little over an hour from my house) after work today. After the usual "Hey, nice to meet ya", he takes the bike for a short spin and we make the exchange, no hassle. Just as I am getting ready to pull out he tells me to wait and hands me a 4-pack of Alchemist Heady Topper IPA, thanking me for meeting him. Shouldn't I be the one thanking him for giving me a handful of cash? For you beer geeks out there you know that the illusive Heady Topper is only available in Vermont and back in 2013 it was claimed to be "the greatest beer in the world". I think I will wait for a special occasion (tomorrow sounds pretty special to me) to try the greatest beer in the world, and I am sure as soon as I turn on the TV my soul will be crushed, but for now my faith in humanity has been restored. My buddy Keith always says that 80% of the people you meet are a$$h0les, but if you meet a guy named Joe from Vermont riding a red Stevens cross bike, give him a high-five and know he is part of the 20%.

Wilco's Solid Sound Music & Arts Festival:: North Adams, MA- June 21, 22, 23

Wilco's Solid Sound Festival is a three-day celebration of music, comedy, and art held at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art in North Adams. This was the third year that Wilco put on the festival, but our first time. Blistering music, amazing art, and hanging with old friends made for an excellent weekend in the Berkshires. Highlights for me included Wilco's all request set on Friday, Yo La Tengo, Nels Cline & Julian Lage's chill acoustic jazz, and Marc Ribot & David Hidalgo's (of Los Lobos) "Borderland" set. Check out the images below (all photos by CHW).

MASS MoCA

Wilco

Jason Middlebrook: My Landscape

Xu Bing: Phoenix

Yo La Tengo

Mowing Mom's Lawn with the Garmin

Mowing Mom's Lawn by jhauptmann at Garmin Connect - Details

Excuse me while I geek out for a minute. Wore the GPS while mowing my mom's lawn this afternoon. I always hear people saying that mowing your lawn is good exercise, but I've never bought that argument, in fact I think it probably does you more harm than good. You breathe in all kinds of crap and I don't think you ever really get your heart rate up all that high. Now I have the data to prove it. Only 132 calories burned in 43 minutes... not even enough for a decent IPA. The map is pretty cool though.

Sunday Mornings MMA Road Bike Ride

MMA Road Bike by jhauptmann at Garmin Connect - Details

Otis Trails Bike and Hike

It was a nice night for a bike ride walk in the woods. There were sections that were really good, and made all the hiking worth it. Hopefully by this weekend it will be packed down better. Photo credit: George

Myles Standish Fatbike Ride

Some photos from our Wednesday night ride at Myles Standish State Forest.

Lots of big trees down from the recent blizzard.

Family Room Addition:: Wood Floors

Finished up the hardwood floors this week. I have never installed/finished wood floors before, so this was definitely a learning experience for me. My buddy George was a huge help, not only in loaning me his tools, but also his time. So glad I decided to rip up the tile in the kitchen, having wood floors in both rooms ties the two spaces together. Next up is paint and then I can finally trim out the windows.

Listening to: The Black Keys- "Rubber Soul"

Family Room Addition:: Almost Done

I'm thinking about extending the deck behind the garage.

Still need to frame the stair stringers, railing, and decking.

Talking Heads:: Live in Rome, 1980

Family Room Addition:: Foundation and Framing

Coonamessett Farm Fat Tire Race 2012

Nat.

Mark and Alec leading the pack. They came in 1st and 2nd.

Yep, that's me. First bike race in almost 20 years.

Geo taking a beer handout. I think this is the only reason I almost caught up with him during the last lap.

Coonamessett Farm Cyclocross 2012

Things 4th Graders Say

The kids in my class love playing with these word magnets...

Girl Power.

Words to live by.

More House Suffering

I installed two more windows this weekend. Cutting back the clapboards so that the trim would fit was a huge pain, and took the better part of the afternoon on Saturday. Still need to repair/paint some drywall, and install the interior casings, but at least they are weather tight. Six down, seven more to go.

Pumptrack at Great Glen Trails, NH

Bathroom Remodel:: Shower Tile, Day 6

I still need to grout, but at least the tile is done. That's a job I'm happy I don't have to do on a daily basis.

Bathroom Remodel:: Shower Tile, Day 5

Bathroom Remodel:: Shower Tile, Days 3-4